Port Manatee has hired Charles D. Tillotson as its new chief commercial officer. In his new role, Tillotson will bolster diverse cargo growth at port. Tillotson most recently served as senior vice-president of business development for Altamont, New York-based Carver Companies, which counts Port Manatee among its marine terminal operations. Prior positions included chief commercial officer of Jacksonville-headquartered Diversified Port Holdings; director of business development for Metro Ports; vice president of military business development for Ports America; and vice president of military sales and business development for Marine Terminals Corp.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Tillotson also served 10 years of active and reserve duty prior to his discharge in 1992 with the rank of petty officer second class. His government service included time as a marine cargo specialist for the U.S. Department of Navy in Concord, California, and as chief of breakbulk cargo at the U.S. Army base in Oakland, California.